It’s been two weeks into the NFL season and you already see why fantasy football is the most difficult, unpredictable fantasy sport to play and win. After setting your roster with studs and doing your due diligence in making the right lineup decisions, Doug Martin leaves in the first half with a hamstring injury, Thomas Rawls hurts his leg in the second quarter, Jonathan Stewart gets hurt in the first quarter with an ankle injury, Arian Foster with a groin, Danny Woodhead right knee, Ameer Abdullah, and the big fish of them all Adrian Peterson right knee. Wow! And these are just the running backs that went down in Week 2. If you happened to make it through the week without injuries, congratulations…but if you are an owner like me and need help on the waiver wire this week, here is CPGM’s waiver wire add/drop recommendations for Week 3.
Quarterbacks
Add – Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys
Dak is my homeboy t-shirts need to be made immediately as the 4th round pick went after Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg?, Jacoby Brissett, Cody Kessler, and Connor Cook in the NFL draft seems to have surpass them all as the best rookie quarterback. I admit I totally overlooked the former Mississippi State quarterback as I thought he was a run first, better arm Tim Tebow. Well, that comparison should not be made again because Prescott’s mechanics has taken a huge step forward thanks to the tutelage of head coach Jason Garrett. Prescott’s poise in the pocket, ability to make the right reads and accuracy has catapulted him to be fantasy worthy as the injured Cowboy starter Tony Romo might not get another snap for the Dallas. The Cowboys roster, particularly the offensive line, makes Prescott’s job a lot easier as he normally has a clean pocket to operate from and isn’t taking the beating he did when he played in the SEC. The scary thing about Prescott is that he is still developing and has not reached his true potential. Look for Prescott to utilize his legs more as the season progresses giving you an added fantasy boost. Even though you might not want to start him immediately if you are in a one quarterback league, scoop him up on your roster as he will be valuable this season.
Other Players who deserve an Add
• Ryan Fitzpatrick New York Jets
• Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens
• Sam Bradford Minnesota Vikings
Drop – Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots
Running Backs
Add – Jerrick McKinnon/Matt Asiata Minnesota Vikings
Unless you have been living under a rock you should know that Adrian Peterson suffered a torn meniscus in Sunday Night’s game against the Green Bay Packers. The loss of Peterson may torpedo many a fantasy roster but the critical question to ask now is, “Who has the most fantasy value in the Vikings backfield…Jerrick McKinnon or Matt Asiata? Many people might think the no brainer answer is McKinnon but I believe it depends on what type of league you are in. Yes, McKinnon will get the early down work and yes, he is the most talented back on the Vikings roster with Peterson sidelined. However, the Vikings trust Asiata more in short yardage situations, the red zone and pass blocking. Therefor,e those of you in a PPR league should probably target McKinnon over Asiata, but those in a standard leagues may want to think about Asiata because of the touchdowns. However you slice it they both deserve to be added on the waiver wire this week but I will be weary of a Mckinnon 60-40 split forthcoming with Asiata getting the goal line carries. I have the #1 waiver priority in a couple of my leagues and probably won’t use it on either of them because of the split and also because Peterson is not human and will likely be back within a couple of weeks.
Other Players who deserve an Add
• Tevin Coleman Atlanta Falcons
• Fozzy Whittaker Carolina Panthers
• Theo Riddick Detroit Lions
• Christine Michael Seattle Seahawks
• Kenyan Drake Miami Dolphins
Drop – Danny Woodhead San Diego Chargers
Wide Receivers
Add – Will Fuller Houston Texans
Other than the occasional dropped pass Will Fuller will have in each game, he is a fantasy asset who the Houston Texans and Brock Osweiler love to target within the offense. Fuller’s big play potential makes him the new DeSean Jackson with the added bonus of giving you a little more polish in his game as a route runner. Coming out of Notre Dame I was all over this guy and so far he has proven me right as he gets to play opposite DeAndre Hopkins, a Top 5 receiver in the league. Defensive coaches can’t sleep well at night knowing that they need safety help on Nuk with Fuller on the other side taking the top off of defenses. Fuller has put up two 100 yard games in his first 2 NFL games becoming the second receiver in NFL history to accomplish that feat, the other being Jackson. Not only is he producing chunk plays on each reception, he is doing this with a huge target volume. Thus far he has been targeted 18 times in the first 2 weeks. If you missed out on the first wave of the Fuller train after Week 1, it is imperative you don’t miss out this waiver wire Wednesday as he probably won’t be available again this year.
Other Players who deserve an Add
• Mike Wallace Baltimore Ravens
• Victor Cruz New York Giants
• Tyrell Williams San Diego Chargers
• Chris Hogan New England Patriots
• Phillip Dorsett Indianapolis Colts
• Michael Thomas New Orleans Saints
• DeVante Parker Miami Dolphins
• Quincy Enunwa New York Jets
Drop – Kamar Aiken Baltimore Ravens
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta Baltimore Ravens
Oh Pitta where have you been? Injuries have derailed what was the start of a promising career for Dennis Pitta after he had a breakthrough 2012 season in which he caught 7 touchdowns. It has been downhill since then as Pitta suffered a dislocated and fractured hip during the 2013 training camp. He was able to return to the football field late in the 2013 season and was expected to bounce back in 2014, until he dislocated the same hip from 2013 in an early season game. With his career in doubt, Pitta’s determination and passion for football has brought him back to the starting lineup in Baltimore this season and thus far he has thrived playing with his buddy Joe Flacco. In Week 1 Pitta only caught 3 balls for 34 yards but his usage is what stood out as he played 56 of the teams 72 snaps and looked to be the Ravens clear cut tight end ahead of Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore. This past Sunday Pitta cemented his spot atop the depth chart catching 9 passes for 102 yards on 12 total targets. I guess Flacco still loves to hit Pitta across the middle in the intermediate passing game. Ride the hot hand and go ahead and pick up Pitta at a tight end position that has been a mess this season.
Other Players who deserve an Add
• Dwayne Allen Indianapolis Colts
• Jesse James Pittsburgh Steelers
• Clive Walford Oakland Raiders
• Jacob Tamme Atlanta Falcons
Drop – Austin Sefarian-Jenkins Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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